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When he had lived thus many years, a neighbouring bishop, knowing his sanctity, importuned him from his cell to go and preach to a town, whose obstinacy in idolatry had rendered all the endeavours of the bishop fruitless. Being called to this combat, he preached to that people repentance and faith in Christ; and they seeing no hopes of being delivered from his importunity, resolved to stone him to death. Having done it, as they thought, he yet outlived that storm, and soon appeared repeating the same lesson to them, and they repeated their cruelty; and so a third time, when they left him for dead. But God miraculously preserving his life, he came again with a new zeal. Upon which, being touched from heaven, they received the faith of Christ, and were baptized. But he, returning to his solitude, after many years of great sanctity, there ended his days.

May not his persevering charity be an encouragement to all pastors, in their endeavours to reclaim the lost sheep? May it not be a direction to you, not to be too hasty in despairing of the amendment of those, who seem as yet deaf to all advice? Have then a true compassion for all in sin and error; let your charity to them be untired. Perseverance is a force upon heaven, and the most powerful persuasive upon the hearts of men. And if at last they hear you not, remember that your charity is not lost: it will be fruitful to you, if not to them." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother

"The Conversion of Sinners: Abraham, the solitary, after having disposed of his vast property and distributed the proceeds to the poor, was living in a deep retreat near Edessa, in Mesopotamia, when the bishop of Edessa consecrated him as bishop, and invested him with the mission of converting the inhabitants of a neighboring town, who were still pagans. Abraham undertook this out of a spirit of obedience, and, God aiding, succeeded in the undertaking, but not without vast efforts, and not without having been thrice on the eve of martyrdom.

He then withdrew to this beloved solitude, but was obliged to leave it once again. A niece whom he tenderly love had abandoned her home, and given herself up to evil courses. When, after two years' seeking and prayer, the pious solitary had at length discovered her abode, he assumed a disguise, and went to visit her. So soon as he made himself known she gave way, while pouring out her sorrow, and, of her own accord, imposed on herself rude austerities which were only to end with her life. St. Abraham died towards 370.

Moral reflection: It is the duty of every Christian to labor for the conversion of sinners, because all partake of the priesthood of Jesus Christ, says the apostle St. Peter: "To declare His virtues, who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. " (1 Peter ii. 9.)" Source: Pictorial Half Hours with the Saints by Fr. Auguste François Lecanu

"O that we realized the omnipotence of prayer! Every soul was created to glorify God eternally; and it is in the power of every one to add by the salvation of his neighbor to the glory of God. Let us make good of this talent of prayer, lest our brother's blood be required of us at the last. "I affectionately entreat you to pray assiduously for the salvation of sinners, for whom I ask of you wrestlings and tearful prayers, that I may satisfy My longing to show them grace and mercy." Revelation to St. Catherine of Siena" Source: Miniatures Lives of the Saints, for Every Day in the Year, 1883

Novena Prayer for the Return of Lapsed Catholics

O Good Shepherd, you never cease to seek out the lost, to call home the stray, to comfort the frightened, and to bind up the wounded. I ask you to bring (mention names) back to the practice of the Faith, and to remove all obstacles that prevent them from receiving your abundant mercy, which flows sacramentally through the heart of your holy Church.